City Commission Meeting Highlights - July 25, 2023

Date of Release: 
July 25, 2023

Note: Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson was unable to attend this meeting.

 

Duke and Junior Duke Presentations

  • Mayor George Bray presented a Duke of Paducah to Beau Dodson. Dodson was nominated to receive a Duke based upon his dedication to public safety in his service as a meteorologist for McCracken County Emergency Management. The nomination letter also points to Dodson’s commitment to educating the community to make sure everyone is properly prepared to face the challenges posed by severe weather conditions.
  • Mayor Bray presented a Junior Duke Award to Barrett Seaton. Seaton sent a letter to Mayor Bray with encouragement and positive reasons to build the outdoor sports complex that is planned for the former Bluegrass Downs site and Stuart Nelson Park.

 

Appointment of Paducah Human Rights Commission Board

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the following appointments to the Paducah Human Rights Commission: Jana Dawson, Robert Hernandez, Christa Dubrock, Irhonda Lovelace, Kimberly Yates, Dann Patterson, and Anthony Walton. Robert Hernandez will serve as the Human Rights Commission’s Chairman. In June, the Board amended Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 58-32 related to the Human Rights Commission to expand the board from five to seven members. Before these appointments, terms for all of the previous members had expired, and the board was vacant. One of the first tasks for the new Human Rights Commission will be to review the existing ordinance and recommend changes, if any.

 

Contract Modification for Pickleball Courts Project

The Board approved a municipal order to extend the contract with PCC Sports for the construction of eight pickleball courts at Noble Park across from the tennis courts. The City approved the contract with PPC Sports in April with the construction project beginning at the end of May. Due to manufacturing delays for the lights, the contractor has asked for a 28-day extension to the contract with a revised final completion date of September 1. To date, the site preparation and pouring of concrete for the courts have been completed. The project includes the construction of an eight-court pickleball facility with amenities including fencing around the courts, lighting, shade structures, benches, and sidewalks.

 

911 Upgrade Update

At the July 11 Commission Meeting, the Board authorized an Intent to Award Letter to Communications International for the Paducah/McCracken County Public Safety Radio Communication System Project. Mayor George Bray said since that meeting, the City and County have received a draft contract from Communications International that is under review by the City and County 911 project consultant, Federal Engineering. Once the contract has been reviewed by legal and by Federal Engineering, it would be brought forward for adoption. Last December, the City of Paducah and McCracken County issued a request for proposals for the project with two proposals received and opened in March. An eight-member City and County team evaluated the proposals with the unanimous determination to move forward with Communications International.

Also, the City and County have been reviewing the process of implementing a parcel fee, a fee assessed on property tax bills to fund a portion of the 911 operations and capital improvement project. The earliest a fee could be implemented would be 2024. The City and County have talked with Kenton County and other counties with parcel fees.

 

Additional Meeting Information

  • Chief Technology Director Eric Stuber introduced to the Board a new employee in the Technology Department, GIS Specialist Dallas McKinney.
  • The Board appointed Jinny McCormick to the Tree Advisory Board.
  • Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract with Rightway Janitorial Services, LLC for custodial services for restroom facilities in City parks and additional services as necessary.
  • Municipal Order approved for a contract with Valley Contracting Services, LLC for renovation work on the Probation & Parole Office Building. This city-owned facility is located at 400 South 6th Street.
  • Municipal Order approved for the purchase of a minipacker for the Public Works Solid Waste Division.
  • Municipal Order approved for the purchase of eight police pursuit-rated SUVs.
  • Municipal Orders approved for the declaration of trust and trust partnership agreement and the trust participation agreement with the Kentucky League of Cities.
  • Municipal Order approved to apply for the 2023-2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant. The grant request of $11,554 would be used to purchase in-car and handheld radar speed measuring devices.
  • Municipal Order approved to extend the contract for three years with Kroll for threat alert response and remediation support for the city’s computer network.     
  • Municipal Order approved for a Contract for Services between the City and Paducah Transit Authority with the City providing $215,000.
  • Municipal Order approved for a Contract for Services between the City and Greater Paducah Economic Development with the City providing $250,000.
  • Municipal Order approved authorizing a payment to the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center for services related to the set-up and dismantling of the dome pavilion. Mayor Bray said that looking ahead in the future, the community will need to make a decision regarding a permanent solution to replace the dome.
  • Ordinance introduced to close 31,659 square feet of Plum Street and 111,331 square feet of Brower Circle as requested by adjacent property owners.
  • Ordinance introduced to approve a construction contract modification with Pace Contracting, LLC for the Floodwall Pump Station No. 2 Project. This modification reduces the contract amount by $10,000.
  • Ordinance introduced to approved a construction contract modification with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC for the Buckner Lane Bridge Replacement Project. This modification reduces the contract amount by $74,320.

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